A LETTER FROM OUR CEO: The Power of Showing Up

During the month of  August, we saw our work reach women and families in meaningful ways. 

Our Back-to-School Shoe Drive served more than 285 families and distributed over 600 pairs of new shoes. The letters we received from women at OJC whose children were supported reminded us just how far that care reaches. We also celebrated Tatyana Brown continuing her education after returning home and Shawnise Sherman taking the next step toward her lab license following her release. Each moment reflects the importance of supporting women and their families before, during, and after incarceration.

That support must also include addressing the barriers that continue to impact their lives, making advocacy an essential part of our work. We were honored to welcome longtime civil rights activist and community leader Ronnie Moore, whose wisdom and decades of advocacy reinforced the importance of continuing to push for meaningful change.

That spirit of perseverance runs deep in New Orleans. August 29 marked 21 years since Hurricane Katrina, reminding us of the lives forever changed, the resilience of our city, and the progress we continue to make.

We will carry those lessons with us in September and onward—honoring those who came before us, advocating for those we serve, and continuing to create change that reaches far beyond today.

In Gratitude,

Syrita Steib

Founder, President & CEO

Operation Restoration